This month Alpine achieved 11 years of intelligent resourcing and public sector support, leaving our clients better equipped to face change. To celebrate, we have a series of 11 opinion pieces highlighting leadership and workforce challenges for the sector. This week, Ruby Dixon of Alpine and Alec Hartopp of LB Camden discuss the Council's visionary interpretation of agile working.
Budget cuts have prompted councils to set up shared services arrangements, and seen them outsourced key contracts and functions for goods and services worth over £60 billion a year.
Despite recently reduced staffing levels, local government still employs over 1.4m people.
Yet councils are facing further funding constants. Chief Executives are wary as cuts start to affect front-line services, choice and council capacity. Managers and elected members alike know that fundamental changes are required if local government is to survive and remain relevant.
A council's uniqueness lies in the accountability of: democratic mandate, statutory duties, and financial probity. Yet as business centres, they share a lot with the private sector. A recent survey (The Times, 2014) indicated that for businesses three key barriers to change are: not enough funding; culture (stickiness to change); and information technology. Research indicates that councils also often cite these factors. These obstacles have to be overcome if strategic transformation is to be achieved.
Increased customer expectation is a key driver for councils. Demand for many public services is increasing (e.g. local welfare provision, adult social care, children and young people's services), requiring better use of integrated technology and maximising workforce talent to realise new ways of working to 'deliver more and better for less'.
Implemented well, technology can deliver convenience, a better customer experience, less frequent but more enhanced interaction by the citizens, and increased productivity of workers. These are key characteristics of not only of a lean organisation – but also an agile one.
It has been said that 'agile is a mindset', and nowhere is this more true than Camden Council's award winning new St Pancras Square development. This all about agility – but it is driven by vision. By utilising technology as a transformational tool, Camden Council has moved everyday job practices from fixed analogue to portable digital, from paper to e-archiving; from single desk to hot desking, from multi-agency meetings to video conferencing, backed by personal agility packs for working anywhere. Office space has been reduced down from 15 to 4 central London buildings, housing 2400 employees who now work flexibly (alec.hartopp@camden.gov.uk).
Capita estimates that in central London, each employee's desk in probably costs £6-8k; Similarly, Age Future Forum suggests that agile working can save up to 7% in workforce costs. Camden's vision is not only environmentally sustainable, the asset management approach makes economic sense because it is self funding and saves the tax payer up to £4.5m a year.
The benefits are also felt by their staff. In the past, work played a central role in our lives but since 2005 this has reduced. Now, over a third of us want more flexibility to the way we work – be that hours, working from home, or the technological tools of the trade. Some workers desire flexibility rather not more money – many want to be allowed to work from home rather than 10% more in pay packet (see timewise.org.uk).
Both elected members and managers understood that to keep good staff, they have to give them the most appropriate tools to work effectively. Camden council uses technology to allow staff to self-service, analyse information for timely decision making, communicate and collaborate with each other and the public via social media.
But managers face challenges in understanding behaviours: younger employees expect flatter structures with direct engagement to senior managers; their communication habits are collaboration-based (often skipping email completely, preferring instead the immediacy of texts/chat/ and face time) so their demands for apps and mobile interoperability is higher.
Ensuring organisations possess the right skills for the 'second wave tec' revolution (cloud based, Big data and increased portability) is crucial. The trick is combining what councils need to retain quality and relevance (agility), with how customers and staff want it delivered (flexibility). This will help council services move from siloed delivery units towards multi-skilled teams for innovation, to ensure accessibility and excellence for customer, with the public pound.
Ruby Dixon is Head of Local Government at Alpine; Alec Hartopp is ICT Flexible Working Programme Manager at London Borough of Camden. They are both members of Socitm London network. Contact Ruby at: rdixon@alpine.eu.com or on 07428 018369 or Alec at: alec.hartopp@camden.gov.uk or ring 020 7974 1336.


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Really Love KSI Feat. Craig David & Digital Farm Animals Download 'Really Love' on iTunes
One Direction Home
One Direction's Liam Payne Remixes New Song 'You & I' As Band Tease Music Video
The 'Little Things' star has remixed the band's latest single as well as previewing the video online.
One Direction have unveiled teaser clips for their brand new music video for 'You & I', while band member Liam Payne has teased his official remix of the track.
The 'Best Song Ever' singer has produced his own remix of the track, which will be offered alongside the single release, when the track launches as the next cut from 'Midnight Memories'.
Simon Cowell has also been teasing 1D's "fantastic" music video, while the band posted up a first teaser of the promo online this week before the premiere Friday (18th April).
"Once again Ben has produced a fantastic video for One Direction. You and I. Very clever," Simon tweeted, fresh from the first teaser going up online.
Once again Ben has produced a fantastic video for One Direction. You and I. Very clever.
— Simon Cowell (@SimonCowell) April 14, 2014
Listen to a snippet of Liam Payne's 'Big Payno' remix of 'You & I' below:
One Direction will release 'You & I' as their next single on 25th May.
> 1D Announce Their New Single Release.
One Direction News
See more One Direction News
WATCH: Ed Sheeran Weighs In On One Direction's Hiatus On Capital's Quizface

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


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Russia Has Deployed Nuclear Missiles That Can Reach Germany, Claims Lithuania Foreign Minister
By David Brennan On 11/14/18 at 10:54 AM EST
World International Affairs Russia Donald Trump Nuclear weapons
Russia has been violating an international arms control agreement for years, the foreign minister of Lithuania has claimed, giving Moscow the ability to fire banned nuclear weapons at targets as far away as Berlin.
Linas Linkevicius told Deutsche Welle the Kremlin has been ignoring the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty for some time, leaving all of central and eastern Europe at threat from Russian missiles.
The treaty was signed by President Ronald Reagan and Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev in 1987, banning ground-launch nuclear and conventional missiles with ranges from 500 kilometers (310 miles) to 5,500 kilometers (3,417 miles). This forced the superpower foes to remove roughly 2,700 short- and medium-range missiles from the front lines, eliminating a dangerous element from the Cold War equation.
A Russian Yars RS-24 intercontinental ballistic missile system drives through Red Square in Moscow, on May 7, 2015, during Victory Day parade rehearsals. The Kremlin's development of the short- to medium-range Novator 9M729 missile threatens the Cold War-era INF Treaty. KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP/Getty Images
But in recent years, Vladimir Putin is believed to have overseen an expansion of short- and medium-range weaponry, likely even deploying missiles to Russia's western frontiers and Baltic enclave of Kaliningrad.
The medium-range nuclear-capable Novator 9M729 missile—known to NATO as the SSC-8—is the catalyst for the impending treaty collapse. Little information about the weapon has been released by the U.S., but a 2016 State Department report alleged that its range fell within the bracket banned by the INF Treaty.
Linkevicius explained to Deutsche Welle: "We all understand that all these arms control agreements are very important. But a very important condition is that all parties must comply. So if not, something should be done in order to force them to. So far, all the calls and the criticism have had no effect."
The minister said Lithuanians were seriously concerned about missile proliferation in Russia. "When Russians are talking about balance, about adequate responses, it's by no means adequate because we do not have defense capabilities. And we're not going to be aggressive. But this is really not a move for confidence building."
"And by the way, these missiles can reach not just Riga, Tallinn and Vilnius, but also Berlin," Linkevicius added. "And they're nuclear-capable. So I believe it's really an escalation measure."
Last month, President Donald Trump said he would withdraw the U.S. from the INF Treaty, citing consistent Russian non-compliance. "Russia has violated the agreement," the president told reporters after a rally in Nevada. "They've been violating it for many years and I don't know why President [Barack] Obama didn't negotiate or pull out."
"We're not going to let them violate a nuclear agreement and do weapons and we're not allowed to," he added. "We're the ones that have stayed in the agreement and we've honored the agreement but Russia has not unfortunately honored the agreement so we're going to terminate the agreement, we're going to pull out."
Russia to 'Restore Balance' if U.S. Quits Missile Deal
Trump Will Kill Arms Treaty That Russia Never Liked
Russia Warning After Trump Nuclear Treaty Withdrawal


One autumn day, an email came in from my friend and fellow photographer, Michael Seldin. After catching up on our lives and the state of affairs of the US, we both quickly gravitated towards the subject of our photography. Michael mentioned that he had been to Eastern Sierra and Death Valley a couple of times in 2018, and what a magical wonderland it is for photographers. With one look at his beautiful images, I quickly started researching and within a couple of weeks, my husband, Bob, and I were on our way there. We had missed the full bloom of the fall foliage but enjoyed the quiet and tranquil hikes that we had all to ourselves. We never made it down to Death Valley but instead went through the spectacular Tioga Pass and into Yosemite where I had the thrill of tracking a Great Grey Owl. It was indeed, a magical trip, and we have Michael to thank for sharing his enthusiasm and encouragement to visit this area.
The first day in Eastern Sierra, this young California Black Bear cub crossed the street right in front of me. I just happened to have my camera in hand as I was getting out of our car when Bob said, "Look at that!" It was exhilarating making eye contact and watching this young creature go about his day. *** By-the-way, it was Bob who often spotted the wildlife long before I did. Needless to say, we make a great team on so many levels.


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Q: masstransit with rabbitmq: Why message auto moved to _skipped queue when it published MassTransit.3.1.2 MassTransit.Autofac.3.1.1  MassTransit.RabbitMQ.3.1.1 RabbitMQ.Client.3.6.0 Topshelf.3.3.1
One Topshelf Windows service, create a bus instance like this:
var builder = new ContainerBuilder();
builder.RegisterConsumers(Assembly.GetExecutingAssembly());
builder.Register<IBusControl>(context =>
        {
            return Bus.Factory.CreateUsingRabbitMq(rbmq =>
            {
                var host = rbmq.Host(new Uri("rabbitmq://" + BusConfig.Instance.Host + ":" + BusConfig.Instance.Port + "/" + BusConfig.Instance.VHost), h =>
                {
                    h.Username(BusConfig.Instance.UserName);
                    h.Password(BusConfig.Instance.Password);
                });
                rbmq.UseJsonSerializer();
                rbmq.UseNLog();

                rbmq.ReceiveEndpoint(BusConfig.Instance.Queue, edp =>
                {
                    edp.UseRetry(Retry.Incremental(5, TimeSpan.FromSeconds(5), TimeSpan.FromSeconds(5)));
                    edp.LoadFrom(context);
                });
            });
        }).SingleInstance().As<IBusControl>().As<IBus>();

        return builder.Build().Resolve<IBusControl>();

One console application like this :
var bus = Bus.Factory.CreateUsingRabbitMq(rbmq =>
           {
               var host = rbmq.Host(new Uri("rabbitmq://" + BusConfig.Instance.Host + ":" + BusConfig.Instance.Port + "/" + BusConfig.Instance.VHost), h =>
               {
                   h.Username(BusConfig.Instance.UserName);
                   h.Password(BusConfig.Instance.Password);
               });
           });
        bus.Start();
        var msg = new OrderCreatedMessage() { OrderId = 10102 };

        bus.Publish<OrderCreatedMessage>(msg);

When mesasge published by console application ,Rabbitmq queue named by "BusConfig.Instance.Queue" received the OrderCreatedMessage:
Rabbitmq queue view when message published
Then i started the topshelf service ,The OrderCreatedMessage auto removed to _skipped queue :
Rabbitmq queue view when topshelf service started
Masstransit log like this:
MOVE:rabbitmq:\/\/192.168.12.217:5672\/zst\/zst.order.queue?prefetch=8:rabbitmq:\/\/192.168.12.217:5672\/zst\/zst.order.queue_skipped?bind=true&queue=zst.order.queue_skipped:N\/A:Moved

But,When i publish message and consume the message with the same bus (Topshelf service), it works!!!
Any help or additional insight on this architecture would be appreciated!

A: Look at the bindings between the exchange for the published message type, and the exchange for the input queue of the service endpoint. Make sure that the proper type exchanges are bound correctly. Since the message is being delivered, I'm guessing that part is correct.
For the receive endpoint, it seems like the consumer was correct at one point (which explains why the binding exists) but is perhaps not consuming the correct message type currently. The message type must be the same message contract in the consumer and the publisher for the message to be consumed by the consumer.
When the message is moved to _skipped, there is no consumer on that endpoint actually consuming the message types in the message itself. I'd recommend posting the following output for review:
bus.GetProbeResult().ToJsonString()

This will show the consumers that are being registered and the message types which are being consumed. It will also help immensely in troubleshooting the issue you're seeing.

A: I guess its having problems creating the consumer for OrderCreatedMessage message.
Have you tried to just resolve the consumer on its own within the builder?
var test = builder.Resolve<OrderCreatedMessageConsumer>();

A: I'm just getting started with Masstransit and RabbitMQ. The answers above did send me in the right direction but for future reference. I was getting extra queues in RabbitMQ because the exhange had incorrect (duplicate bindings on) and I didn't notice this since the code seemed correct but the incorrect settings in RabbitMQ persisted. Deleting the queues and starting fresh solved it.

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaStackExchange


The audio files are arranged as a wedding program to give clients ideas and display the breadth of styles available. Additionally, these samples could be performed in other designations and events (other than weddings). The tracks are listed as follows, Wedding Designation - Title - Style (ex. Prelude - BWV 995 - Baroque).


AN ANCIENT YOGIC PRACTICE OF NASAL RINSE THAT IS A SAFE AND NATURAL WAY TO CLEAR EXCESS MUCUS, BACTERIA, ALLERGENS, POLLEN AND OTHER IRRITANTS FROM UPPER RESPIRATORY PASSAGE TO PROVIDE LASTING RELIEF FROM BLOCKED NOSE, NASAL CONGESTION, SINUSITUS, ASTHMA, POLLUTION AND HELPS YOU BREATHE BETTER AND LIVE HEALTHY.
I suffer from sinus allergies and ClearNasal really gives relief by draining out allergens and saline solution keeps nasal cavity open and clean. The bottle is well designed to snug fit the nostril and pump water through nasal passage. It is relatively less expensive compared to similar products excluding Neti.
I have had a long history of allergies. I was recommended ClearNasal by Mr Girish to me, I tried ClearNasal wash the same day and again the next day. The wash cleared my nasal track very well. However, I feel that it also cleared my tear ducts that did away with my dry eyes problems. It has given me a good night's sleep and I feel fresh in the morning. It is better than the use of medicines and has immediate relief. The product is very easy to use and is a wonderful product.
I am sensitive for Cold and Cough. This time the chest congestion was quite severe. I was put on antibiotics and other medication to get rid of congestion. During that time I was recommended by a good friend of mine to try CLEARNASAL.
My wife suffered from horrible allergies, but now finds that simply doing a CLEARNASAL rinse stops the reaction and gives her break. She barely ever needs antihistamines any longer.
I recommended CLEARNASAL rinse to my daughter who had a breathing problem. After using CLEARNASAL she says – Her nasal passages got cleared and she is able to breathe easily.
Considering air pollution these days, breathing problems are very common. CLEARNASAL is an excellent natural product to get relief from breathing issues like snoring and asthma. After using CLEARNASAL, the patient reports are very good. Also, it is very easy to use; overall excellent product for personal use.
The solution for all your breathing problems.
Constant sneezing, coughing, runny nose, sore throat and fatigue can make you miserable. But the worst part about common cold is that there is no instant or permanent cure. All you can do is get some temporary relief while you wait for the infection to go away. Sometimes, frequent use of antibiotics when you get sore throat, runny nose or fever can put you at risk of developing antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Heavy nasal drainage with no improvement even after four days can also be an indication of sinus infection.


text:
Official Rep Tools
Promoting ICPSR
Biennial Meeting for Official Reps
Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (HOS), 1998-2014 (ICPSR 23380)
Version Date: May 26, 2016 View help for published
United States Department of Health and Human Services. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (HOS), 1998-2014. Ann Arbor, MI: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor], 2016-05-26. https://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR23380.v3
United States Department of Health and Human Services. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services
The Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (HOS) is the first patient reported health outcomes measure for the Medicare population in managed care settings. It is a continuous study that measures the physical and mental health and well-being of Medicare beneficiaries over a two-year period. Starting in 1998, a baseline survey was administered to a new cohort of respondents each year in the spring and a follow-up survey was conducted of those same respondents two years later. Cohorts 1-5 include the Baseline Data, the Follow-Up Data, and the Analytic Data file, which contains the merged Baseline and Follow-Up files along with supplemental variables. Beginning with Cohort 6, the Follow-Up Data were included only in the Analytic file. The HOS consists of the SF-36 Health Survey, which yields physical and mental health summary measures, as well as questions on topics such as chronic medical conditions, activities of daily living (ADLs), depression, smoking, physical health symptoms, weight and height, and additional questions corresponding to HEDIS (Health Care Employer Data and Information Set) measures such as urinary incontinence in older adults, osteoporosis testing in older women, and fall risk management. In 2006, CMS implemented the Medicare HOS 2.0 for Medicare Advantage Organizations (MAOs) which evaluates physical and mental health status using the Veteran RAND 12-Item Health Survey (VR-12). The revised instrument contains questions that gather information for case-mix and risk-adjustment variables, and collects information on respondents' physical functioning, bodily pain, social functioning, mental health, vitality, general health, and how respondents' physical and emotional health affects their lives. The survey includes case-mix adjustment variables which may be used to adjust the survey response data for beneficiary characteristics that are known to be related to systematic biases in the way people respond to survey questions. Demographic information includes respondent's age, gender, race, education level, marital status, annual household income, and geographic region.
activities of daily living chronic disabilities chronic illnesses depression (psychology) disabilities disabled persons emotional problems health health care services health problems health status medical care Medicare mental health older adults physical characteristics physical condition physical limitations smoking treatment outcome
Puerto Rico United States Guam Virgin Islands of the United States
Cohorts 1-5 contain the Baseline Data, the Follow-Up Data, and the Analytic Data file, which contains the merged Baseline and Follow-Up files along with supplemental variables. Beginning with Cohort 6, the Follow-Up Data were no longer produced separately and were included only in the Analytic Data file.
Cohort 9 (2006-2008) only contains Baseline data at this time.
According to the principal investigators, the value "MM" in the survey mode variable, formerly known as survey round number, was not used consistently by the HOS survey vendors since telephone follow-up of incomplete mail surveys is often utilized, with a subsequent "MT" survey mode assignment.
For the variables corresponding to the Healthy Days questions, NCQA allowed the vendors to enter invalid values into the database when respondents indicated a response of more than 30 days. However, values greater than 30 were excluded from all analyses involving the three healthy days questions in the reports.
The HOS questionnaire contains multiple skip patterns. Caution should be exercised when examining selected questions that involve skip pattern responses. Please refer to the User Guide for additional information on skip patterns.
For comprehensive information on the history and progress of the Medicare HOS Program, including the full spectrum of available data and reports, please visit the Medicare Health Outcomes Survey Web site.
Demographic variables in the baseline survey (age, race, marital status, education level) were collapsed by the principal investigators to ensure the confidentiality of the respondents. Information on how to gain access to HOS nonidentifiable data, identifiable data, and limited data set files is available via the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services Web site.
The CASE_ID identifier assigned to a beneficiary in the analytic public use files does not correspond to any identifier that may be assigned to the same beneficiary in either a baseline public use file or other analytic public use files.
Any file names referenced in the user guides are not applicable to the ICPSR release of the data.
Sample View help for Sample
The HOS measure was administered to a randomly selected sample of individuals at baseline from each Managed Advantage Organization (MAO). From this sample, a Follow-Up cohort was identified of those who were eligible for re-measurement two years later. The sampling methodology was dependent upon the size of a plan's population and changed slightly each year. For information on the sample inclusion criteria, please refer to the User Guide for the specific cohort.
Longitudinal: Trend / Repeated Cross-section
Medicare recipients in Medicare contract market areas in the 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the United States territories of Puerto Rico, Guam, and the Virgin Islands.
Data Source View help for Data Source
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Monthly Report of Managed Care Health Plans
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Medicare Enrollment Database
administrative records data survey data
computer-assisted telephone interview (CATI) mail questionnaire
United States Department of Health and Human Services. Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services. Medicare Health Outcomes Survey (HOS), 1998-2014. ICPSR23380-v3. Ann Arbor, MI: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor], 2016-05-26. http://doi.org/10.3886/ICPSR23380.v3
2016-05-26 Baseline and analytic data for cohorts 14 and 15 have been added to the collection and documentation was updated to account for title change.
2014-11-13 Baseline and analytic data for cohorts 10 through 13 have been added to the collection and documentation was updated to account for title change.
2009-07-22 ICPSR data undergo a confidentiality review and are altered when necessary to limit the risk of disclosure. ICPSR also routinely creates ready-to-go data files along with setups in the major statistical software formats as well as standard codebooks to accompany the data. In addition to these procedures, ICPSR performed the following processing steps for this data collection:
Checked for undocumented or out-of-range codes.
Analysis Information
Weight View help for Weight
The data are not weighted.
Data in this collection are available only to users at ICPSR member institutions.
Overview and Mission
Thematic Data Collections
Data Stewardship and Research Projects


Visit Kushiro city in Spring. There's no better time to visit this seaside town.
Spring is a great time to visit Kushiro city.
My wife and I just came back to Sapporo after having some respite in the lovely city of Kushiro. It is only about 300 kilometres away from Hokkaido's capital city, Sapporo.
Getting there can be either very easy or very difficult. Many flights depart for Kushiro's Tancho airport, taking less than an hour whereas trains can take up to four and a half hours. The cheapest option is by bus. The buses have special seats that make it feel like you're sitting in business class! But we didn't feel like being stuck on a bus for almost six hours, so we opted for a flight with JAL. If you book your trip in advance, you can score some inexpensive tickets.
By the way, we all know that you aren't meant to use electronic or signal emitting devices on planes, but on these smaller planes, you're not allowed to use Bluetooth during the flight so be sure to bring cable headphones.
After arriving at Kushiro airport, buses are available to take you to Kushiro station and a few hotels.
So, what did we do? We're glad you asked!
After checking in and checking out the room, we were lucky to have a view of the ocean and could enjoy Kushiro's famous sunset. We're glad we stayed in the hotel to see it because the weather was cloudy in the following days.
Wasn't perfect, but good enough.
Our first stop was a very well known Zangi restaurant called Tori-Yoshi, located in Sakaemachi. We were so happy to be the first customers of the evening. However, to our surprise, the chef had been cooking up a storm! You see, they are so popular that many customers order it to take away!
This restaurant literally only sells fried chicken so don't expect to order anything else!
You can order boneless or bone in. Go for bone in!
This year will mark the restaurants forty-fifth year in operation! We aren't surprised! The food is delicious and the staff are so friendly. After mentioning that we were recently married, the owner gave us a delicious present!
Gifted more fried chicken! The skin was so salty and crispy!
The boss even offered to take our picture!
When in Japan, do as the Japanese do! And one of my favourite "do's." is hashigo-suru which means "climbing the ladder.". Bar Hopping!
On the way to a friend of ours restaurant, we were lucky to witness a thick blanket of fog. It is known locally as gasu. The dense fog usually signals the beginning of spring. Although, you can see it all year round.
Nora is another local restaurant that has been around for a very long time. Here we tried their signature dish, prawn shumai after that we enjoyed some local asparagus. First of the season!
To end the evening we decided to go to one last local restaurant. The great thing about Kushiro is all the restaurants are so close together, but you should always call and book ahead because they can get very busy.
We had the same issue with our next destination: Charinko. We managed to get a table after eight pm.
Some locally caught fish. Delicious!
Local tip: Most local restaurants in Kushiro do not take credit card! So be sure to have enough cash on you or you'll be washing dishes!


text:
Filtering by Tag: Year In Review
January 04, 2017 Eric Graciano
JT – With 2016 coming to a close, it's time to reflect on some of the year's racing headlines, trends and impending changes as the new year arrives. But before we get to that, let's chat about your first experience racing an LMP3 car earlier this month at the Gulf 12 Hours on Abu Dhabi's Yas Marina circuit.
You were teamed in United Autosports' No. 22 Ligier JS P3 with Jim McGuire, Nico Rondet and Matt Keegan. Qualifying featured an average of all drivers' lap times in each car to set the grid. The sister No. 23 Ligier of Alex Lynn, Shaun Lynn and Richard Meins lined up 7th with your car 6th. You set the fastest time among bronze drivers in qualifying and finished third in class with your teammates after both segments of the 12 Hours.
What was it like to drive the P3 car and how did you enjoy the racing?
SJ – It was good fun. I hadn't been in a proper car for a while. It's been four years since I last raced a prototype. It felt a bit rusty to start with but as the weekend went on I started to get sharper. It started to feel pretty good in my last stint of the race. I guess if I had to rate myself over the weekend, I'd give myself a "5" out of 10. There's definitely room for improvement but I really enjoyed it. It's always been the same for me over the years when I've been out of a car for a longer period of time, after three races you're more or less back to where you need to be.
The Ligier LMP3 is a great car, fantastic fun to drive. I really like the concept of the LMP3 class with economical, proper prototypes. The cars have no driver aids. They're very pure and basic, but like all modern race cars very underpowered but certainly not easy to drive. The chassis is very reactive and because it doesn't have driver aids it's actually more difficult to handle than the other classes of cars. It's not that different than a LMPC car and has a similar raw feel to it.
JT – What did you think of the Yas Marina circuit? You hadn't raced there before, correct?
Correct, I have been there a few times for the F1 race but I had never raced there before. It's another [Hermann] Tilke designed track. The facility is outstanding and visually it looks amazing when you first see it but it's not very interesting once you drive it. There are four 1st-gear corners, ten 2nd-gear corners and one each which are 3rd, 4th and 5th-gear. So, the track is really all 1st and 2nd gear corners with the exception of turns two and three which are somewhat tricky to get right. The rest is all typical modern F1 tracks, with the identical template kerbs on every corner and although they are by no means easy to get right it's purely another technical track where car performance and precision are the key factors to a fast laptime. Not one single corner where you have a take deep breath and go for it.
And there are three chicanes built into a track that started with a clean sheet, which is kind of strange when you can choose any combination of corners you wish? Chicanes were originally invented as a kind of last resort to slow cars down when a track was suddenly deemed too fast for certain cars. When you start from scratch designing a modern track there should be no reason to include chicanes. It's amazing and frustrating that this trend keeps on going on almost every modern race track being built today. Why doesn't someone at least attempt to do something really extraordinary when you have the opportunity starting from scratch.
Source: F1
JT – Looking back at the 2016 F1 season, it unfolded pretty much as expected in general terms. Mercedes GP was head and shoulders above the other teams and dominated, winning 19 of the 21 races on the calendar, setting a new record in the process.
SJ – Yes absolutely, they dominated. The only times they were beaten is when others picked up the pieces after they made errors, bad starts or had problems with reliability. Apart from that the races were pretty much a foregone conclusion before they started.
Ultimately, Rosberg did a brilliant job winning the championship. It's been so close between the two of them the past couple of years and this year was no different of course. Rosberg was able to turn it on mid-season to gain a big enough advantage over Lewis, where he did not have to get into a dogfight for position but merely had to maintain his points gap even if Lewis won every race towards the end. I believe this was the key to him being able to drive disciplined and error free to get the points he needed to seal the title. I don't think there's much left to say about his decision to retire a week after the final race, everybody interested in F1 have voiced their opinion one way or the other. In the end it's his decision and no one else's. I personally respect the way he bowed out of F1. When you think about it, what would a guy like that want to do next. Would he want to hang in there trying to break every record?
I think it really comes down to the goals you set for yourself. His goal was to win the Formula One World Championship and he did that. Other drivers – Senna, Schumacher, Hamilton – they have different goals perhaps. And then some drivers simply love racing and can look beyond what the goals are and just enjoy the moment, enjoy racing for what it is and still do a great job by doing that. Bottom line is that every driver is different and it would have been a much easier decision for Nico to say I carry on for a few more years rather than make a decision that is completely life changing to him in every aspect, it takes someone with a lot of courage and will power that reach that conclusion.
JT – For the last couple decades F1 has focused on Senna, Schumacher and Hamilton – all guys who share a determination to be relentless in their pursuit of winning races and championships - sometimes to an unhealthy degree. I think Rosberg has demonstrated that there's another way. It may not be a new idea but his outlook is refreshing and perhaps good for Formula One. Do you agree?
SJ – I agree entirely. There is a fine balance between doing the right thing and being relentlessly obsessed with winning at any cost, including cheating if that is an available option – and the notion that we should somehow admire that without questioning the means of how the winning is achieved.
In the end, the relatively brief moments we spend fighting to win races and championships are miniscule relative to the bigger picture of life in general but also in the life of a racing driver. I think we all evolve as human beings to appreciate that at some point later in life. Everyone has their own morals, desires and ambitions in life but I think what Rosberg did was classy and graceful.
He figured out what he had to do, did it his way and succeeded. That's very admirable.
JT – The Formula One cars we've known for the last few years are changing for 2017. Most fans won't miss the cars that have raced in recent seasons but as you've said repeatedly, though the formula is changing somewhat, the direction chosen probably won't improve competition.
SJ – Yes, we'll have a completely new style of cars for better or worse. The cars will probably look a lot better but whether they're going to be better in terms of racing remains to be seen. I doubt it very much personally. We have gradually over the years arrived at a situation, primarily thanks to the designs of the cars with these incredibly complex front wings and the amount of downforce they produce, where we then have to create an artificial device (DRS) that will enable overtaking with the purpose of making the racing more exciting or interesting. Add to that the tires which have been mandated to be much worse than they could or should be, again with the purpose to spice up the show with a very short life span and low grip levels. Yet we are now adding even more downforce to the cars, granted it's supposed to be generated from the bottom of the car and not the front which will help the turbulence for sure, but the fact remains that the cars are already almost in the corners when they brake so I can't see how by adding a very significant amount of downforce will be helpful in this regard. The cars will be on rails literally and there will be even less opportunity to pass than there currently is. Some argue that it will only be the brave drivers that will be fast which is complete nonsense in my opinion, anyone can drive a car with a lot of downforce as long as they are fit enough to handle the forces, it's when you start taking it off to a significant degree the difference between the great and not so good will start to show.
Technical Analysis Sketch by Giorgio Piola
You have to assume that Mercedes will maintain some kind of advantage but whenever there's a reset like this there is an opportunity for someone else to get it more right than the others and that advantage then tends to stay for a while as we've seen with Mercedes the past few years. There are also a lot of changes within Mercedes for next year. Rosberg has left and Paddy Lowe (technical director) is apparently leaving too. I have a feeling that Red Bull will be in the strongest position to challenge Mercedes next season. The engines are all getting closer to each other every year and we can assume that starting next year there will be very little difference in terms of power between the different engine manufacturers, so the emphasis will be moving back more towards the chassis and who can get the best out of the tires. The cars will have a massive increase in downforce, and it will be a somewhat new frontier for the teams to find the best package for the start of the season, and this is why I think Red Bull will be very strong as they already had arguably the best chassis this year and with Adrian Newey fully focused on the F1 program again.
Also, all the teams that have a "B" team or a satellite team or whatever you want to label them, Red Bull/Toro Rosso, Ferrari/HAAS and Mercedes with the teams they support will most likely have an advantage in the early stages as they will have 4 cars or more to collect certain data from during the initial testing.
JT – Mercedes GP is still lining up a replacement for Nico Rosberg. Williams F1's Valtteri Bottas is seen as a leading candidate. No matter who is chosen, they will likely experience friction with Lewis Hamilton.
Photo by Motorsport.com
SJ – There was friction between the drivers before so why should it be any different in 2017?
How much friction depends on how big a threat Lewis' new teammate could be. That's normal and not a bad reflection on Lewis in particular but merely the way it is, especially in a team where you have two driver with an equal chance to fight for the championship. We had the same scenario between Vettel and Webber when they were dominating and both had a real chance of winning the title, Prost and Senna, Mansell and Piquet. It was war without weapons and no different to what we have seen between Lewis and Nico the past few years. Unless you have a clear number one driver like Ferrari had with Schumacher you will always have that dynamic if the title is at stake.
JT – At McLaren, Fernando Alonso will have Stoffel Vandoorne as a new teammate. Vandoorne spent 2016 racing in the Japanese Super Formula. The series features 2 liter turbocharged engines from Toyota and Honda in Dallara SF14 single-seater chassis. Comparable to current IndyCars in terms of pace, the Super Formula cars are challenging to master and the generally experienced field of drivers assures stiff competition. One would imagine that racing in Japan in 2016 was probably good for Vandoorne in terms of experience.
SJ – The racing in Japan is super competitive and those cars are on a very high level of performance. It's a great training ground for sure and it shows how competitive it is when someone like Vandoorne goes there and struggles to win races. (Vandoorne won two races in 2016.) And it's the same for every European who goes there. It's a very tough series.
JT – The 2017 Formula One calendar is firm and it shows that F1 events are always in flux. For the first time in many years there will be no German Grand Prix. Other events which have struggled recently including the Malaysian GP were able to secure a date. But attendance has been off at many venues, including at European races like the Austrian GP at Red Bull Ring which has seen a precipitous drop and financial losses. F1's mix of circuits globally is always a point of debate.
SJ – I'm sure there are many pockets or areas around the world where a new F1 venue can draw a big audience. I'm convinced that if they held a GP at Long Beach for example, it would be massive. There's a huge F1 fan base in the Los Angeles and San Diego area, and there's the California car culture which is huge. I'm sure it could be much better than Texas (USGP, Austin) has been for many different reasons.
Ferrari Westlake Opening Party
Photos by Eric Graciano
Photo by Eric Graciano
But F1 will always have problems in one region or another. Typically they go to places where money is, although the European races are not big spenders. But I think it's worthwhile to retain some of the classic venues to mix with new circuits.
JT – A proposal for a budget cap for F1 teams has surfaced again, this time from Liberty Media, the new group taking control of F1. The budget cap idea has been put before the teams several times in recent years but has never gained support because the top teams claim that the caps cannot be enforced. What do you think of the latest move to try to institute some kind of spending limit?
SJ – I agree 100 percent that you can never really truly enforce a cost cap. The teams will always find ways to spend money, and the creativity they have to accomplish this will just make it even more expensive in the end in my opinion. I think what should be done with that in mind is to limit the areas where large amounts of money are currently being spent.
The number one area by far to focus on is Aerodynamics because everything on a current race car evolves from the Aero package. This is the single most important area for car performance, yet it has very little benefit if any at all outside the realm of making a race car go faster. The amount of money each team is spending on aero development is astronomical. I spoke to one of the Senior Management guys in one of the top teams recently, he told me they have a total of 250 people in the Design and Engineering department, of which half are aerodynamicists. Then bear in mind that each team probably have a similar ratio of staff depending on how big their budgets are. And all they are free to do is basically just fine tuning of a very restricted package, hence nearly every car looking identical. There is no innovation, just an enormous amount of money being spent on gaining ½ percent here and another ¼ percent there which all adds up in the end.
Almost every single driver and many designers I speak to today is in agreement that aerodynamics or downforce is not the way to go. It's a point I've been making for some time now, it's killing the racing in every category and is making the average drivers look much better than they really are. Even Adrian Newey, who is the best Aerodynamicist in F1 history came out this week and said he is in favor of a Wind Tunnel ban.
The best and only solution in my opinion in order to keep the costs down and to make the racing more interesting but still give teams the freedom to innovate in other ways is to set a fixed limit on the downforce the cars can produce. Whatever the number is, something significantly less than what they're getting right now, the focus would go from how much aerodynamic downforce cars make to how much grip the teams could gain back in other areas. It would be easy to monitor the level of downforce through the ECU and the load sensors in the suspension.
It sounds controversial as it requires a complete rethink but it's in my view it's no different than limiting the size of the tires, the engine size, or the amount of fuel the cars can carry. We have limits and restrictions in almost every area of the car so why not limit the amount of downforce to a level that is sensible and that will also improve the racing.
Limiting downforce and putting the emphasis on other areas of development would also assist in the prevailing debate of political correctness which says that Formula One should benefit automotive technology for the street somehow. If you take all the effort, brain power and money that's been spent in wind tunnels for the past 25 years and concentrate those resources in other areas, I guarantee you that in five years there will be breakthroughs in technology that we haven't even seen yet.
This could include technology that gives cars a massive leap in mechanical grip, a lot less drag, greatly improved tires and much more. At the least, it could open up new areas of exploration instead of endlessly focusing and fine-tuning the aero within this very defined box. New materials we never knew existed and other technologies would be discovered and developed at a pace we can't imagine.
If you free up the engine restrictions you can make similar gains as well. Set a certain parameter regarding how much energy consumption is allowed but let the engines make as much horsepower as they can get within those parameters. Make the engines powerful and not just efficient. If they can get 1500hp by only using the allowed criteria of energy consumption that's great. Allow any technology that people want to try, remember the turbine Lotus in the 70's, pioneering stuff that is also exciting and interesting for the fans.
Make the cars spectacular looking and difficult to drive, a car with 1500hp and half or less of the current levels of downforce will be a beast to drive, and that's what the fans and the drivers want.
Again, in that kind of competitive environment there would be new engine technology pioneered or developed that could be infinitely better than any hybrid or electric power plants that are currently being mandated as the only option for a power plant. Changing this focus will bring on new innovations that no one has thought of yet just because they have now been challenged to think of them. Motor racing in general and F1 in particular is the most competitive environment you can find, and if you unchain these guys and really allow their creativity to come out I guarantee you that we will see some incredible stuff in the future.
There are more scientist and engineers alive in the world today than have lived in all previous human history put together, this is an important fact. In the past 20 years there have been literally new discoveries in Science and technology every week and this is increasing at an exponential rate. Radical new technologies are coming into existence all the time. If the emphasis of F1 or motor racing in general is to stay relevant, maybe it's time to do a reset and allow some new and radical thinking instead of rehashing the same old Aerodynamics concept over and over at an astronomical cost each time there's a new rule change.
JT- With the announcement that Audi is pulling out of WEC we are now down to two manufacturers racing each other for the Championship and the overall win at Le Mans. What are the likelihood of more manufacturers joining the series and what effect do you think it will have on WEC going forward?
SJ- It's hard to say, but I find it nearly impossible for a new manufacturer to join in the current situation and with the current rules the way they are. LMP1 is now on a level of F1, maybe even more in some aspects. The budgets are certainly very close to a top team in F1 and for a new team to join with a genuine attempt at winning would be a monumental task. We may see some half serious attempts like the Nissan project last year but I would be very surprised to see any manufacturer mount a serious effort at winning the 24 hours under the current system.
Much like F1, the development of the cars have reached a point where the racing is not very interesting any longer, the GTLM and LMP2 categories are far more interesting to follow than the LMP1 is now, with great drivers in both categories and great teams running the cars. It's hard racing all the way.
I personally think we're at a point now where we could take the GTLM cars and make them the main category. The goal for the ACO has always been for the fastest cars to be in the 3 min 30sec laptime bracket, they seem to think this is the safe area to be in for overall laptimes. The GT's are in the low 50's now and if you took of all the restrictors they would gain a significant amount of horsepower which could translate to a laptime somewhere in the mid 40's probably. Allow each manufacturer to then develop the cars bit further, add some wider tires and wider wheel arches which would make the cars look a lot more cool and aggressive and the laptimes would be in the 30's in a couple of years. The racing would be awesome with a whole grid full of the same cars essentially. The manufacturers would be going for it and the customer teams could buy the same car as the one winning the race. They wouldn't be as quick, but not that far off, certainly not 10 seconds or more which is currently the case between the manufacturers and the privateers. The fans will be watching the same cars they can buy in the showroom and we would probably have 7-8 Manufacturers represented, maybe more. If you take away the BOP restrictions, it's up to each manufacturer to make a road car that is good enough to compete for overall victory. We would see some incredibly cool looking cars, that will then also be available for people to buy. Like we have seen with the Ford GT, there will be a line of people wanting to get their hands on these when they become available to the public.
tags 2016, 2017, Year In Review, F1, Formula 1, Mercedes AMG Petronas, Nico Rosberg, Ayrton Senna, Michael Schumacher, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso, MexicoGP, United Autosports, Ligier, Ligier JS P3, Jim McGuire, Matt Keegan, Alex Lynn, Shaun Lynn, Richard Meins, LMPC, LMP3, Yas Marina, Gulf 12 Hours, World Champion, F1 World Championship, Paddy Lowe, Ferrari, Haas F1, Red Bull Racing, Toro Rosso, Williams F1, Valtteri Bottas, Ferrari F156/85, WEC, Audi, Porsche, Porsche 919


text:
Irony: Harris, Booker and Castro Face Uphill Battle in Race for the Democratic Nod for President Despite a Diverse Field
Dara Sharif
Filed to:Democratic presidential candidates
Sens. and Democratic presidential candidates Cory Booker and Kamala Harris during then-Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh's Senate confirmation hearings in September 2018
Photo: Drew Angerer (Getty)
Despite fielding one of the most diverse groups of presidential candidates, based on most recent poll numbers, the Democratic Party's frontrunners in the race for who will become the party's presidential nominee are—perhaps not-all-that-surprisingly—all white.
One major problem, the New York Times reports, is fear of four more years of Donald Trump, with much of the Democratic voting base, even black voters, betting on it taking another white person to beat the uber-white Trump.
And, of course, current frontrunners former Vice President Joe Biden, Sens. Elizabeth Warren and Bernie Sanders, and even South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete Buttigieg can check the box on that front.
As presidential contender Julian Castro, the former Housing Secretary, acknowledged to the Times:
[The concept of] "electability" [is] a problem, saying that concept has created an unspoken skepticism of nonwhite candidates among Democratic voters. People with this viewpoint, he said, can sometimes see nonwhite candidates as vice-presidential options, but not best equipped to lead the party.
"In every election there's a current, and the current this year seems to be running toward candidates that people believe can take Donald Trump on with a certain profile of voter — the white working class in the Midwest," said Mr. Castro, whose polling support is running at about 1 percent.
And, he added, "assumptions are being made on who the best type of candidates are to do that."
With Biden, uber-popular President Barack Obama's No. 2, continuing to poll as black voters' first pick, it would seem that the issue of "electability," and assumptions concerning same, are alive and well among that bloc, as well.
New Poll Shows That Black Voters Favor Former Vice President Joe Biden in 2020
A new poll has shown what we all feared—fine, maybe it's just me—but black folks, at least the ones
And speaking of Obama, another issue, according to the Times? None of the nonwhite candidates are Obama.
No matter their political bona fides, talent and intellect—and no matter how unfair the comparisons—neither Castro nor Sens. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) nor Cory Booker (D-N.J.) incites the kind of passion that Obama did.
As Theodore Johnson, who studies African-American politics at the Brennan Center for Justice, told the Times:
"Their road is easier because of Obama, but their ability to secure the nomination is harder because they're not Obama."
To be fair, none of the white frontrunners (save, perhaps, Sanders as the lone exception) fare so well stacked up against Obama, either. But, as the Times explains, that doesn't matter so much when one considers a third factor hurting nonwhite candidates: race.
Even on a benign level, race still plays some role in the support garnered for leaders of the pack like Warren and Buttigieg among wealthy, educated white voters.
As the Times points out:
Both have risen to the top tier of early-state and national polls, and both are flush with cash from a largely white donor network that has assured them of long term viability.
All this while candidates Booker and Castro have both had to make desperate pleas of late for campaign cash to stay in the running.
And it's only sure to get harder for low-polling Dems as the party's rules for taking part in upcoming debates get more stringent.
As FiveThirtyEight data shows, Harris may be the only nonwhite candidate to have a chance to make it into the December debates, based on rules regarding poll numbers, campaign cash and number of donors.
As Booker told the Times, he's remaining hopeful but recognizes the need for having enough donor support to stay in the race.
"I've had lots of crazy things said to me, like, 'Is America ready for another black president?'" Booker said, according to the Times. "And I'm confident it's never been asked of a white candidate, 'Is America ready for another white president?'"
'Bernie's Back': Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Ilhan Omar and Rashida Tlaib Plan to Endorse Bernie Sanders
Cory Booker Raises Enough Money to Continue White House Bid
'Electability' Is Just Another Word for White Supremacy


text:
// Type definitions for node-ffmpeg 1.0
// Project: https://github.com/damianociarla/node-ffmpeg
// Definitions by: Prasad Nayak <https://github.com/Buzzertech>
// Definitions: https://github.com/DefinitelyTyped/DefinitelyTyped
// TypeScript Version: 2.1

type WatermarkSettings = Partial<{
    position: 'NE' | 'NC' | 'NW' | 'SE' | 'SC' | 'SW' | 'C' | 'CE' | 'CW';
    margin_nord: number;
    margin_sud: number;
    margin_east: number;
    margin_west: number;
}>;

type SaveCallback = (err: Error, files: string) => void;

type FrameToJPGSettings = Partial<{
    start_time: string | number;
    duration_time: string | number;
    frame_rate: number;
    size: string;
    number: number;
    every_n_frames: number;
    every_n_seconds: number;
    every_n_percentage: number;
    keep_pixel_aspect_ratio: boolean;
    keep_aspect_ration: boolean;
    padding_color: string;
    file_name?: string;
}>;

type StandardVideoMetadata = Partial<{
    title: string;
    author: string;
    album_artist: string;
    album: string;
    grouping: string;
    composer: string;
    year: string;
    track: string;
    comment: string;
    genre: string;
    copyright: string;
    description: string;
    synopsis: string;
    show: string;
    episode_id: string;
    network: string;
    lyrics: string;
}>;

type WMVMetadata = Partial<{
    title: string;
    author: string;
    copyright: string;
    comment: string;
    rating: string;
}>;

type AVIMetadata = Partial<{
    IARL: string;
    IART: string;
    ICMS: string;
    ICMT: string;
    ICOP: string;
    ICRD: string | Date;
    ICRP: string;
    IDIM: string;
    IDPI: string;
    IENG: string;
    IGNR: string;
    IKEY: string;
    ILGT: string;
    ILNG: string;
    IMED: string;
    INAM: string;
    IPLT: string;
    IPRD: string;
    ISBJ: string;
    ISFT: string;
    ISHP: string;
    ISRC: string;
    ISRF: string;
    ITCH: string;
}>;

type FLVMetadata = Partial<{
    duration: number;
    filesize: string;
    encoder: string;
    width: number;
    height: number;
    videodatarate: number;
    videocodecid: string;
    audiodatarate: number;
    audiosamplerate: number;
    stereo: boolean;
    audiocodecid: string;
}>;

interface Video {
    addCommand(command: string, argument: string): void;
    addInput(argument: string): void;
    addFilterComplex(argument: string): void;
    setOutput(path: string): void;
    setDisableAudio(): Video;
    setVideoFormat(format: string): Video;

    setVideoCodec(codec: string): Video;
    setVideoBitRate(bitrate: number): Video;
    setVideoFrameRate(framerate: number): Video;

    /**
     *
     * @description time in seconds
     * @example 13
     */
    setVideoStartTime(time: number | string): Video;

    /**
     *
     * @example 13
     */
    setVideoDuration(duration: number | string): Video;

    /**
     *
     * @example 1.77
     */
    setVideoAspectRatio(aspect: number | string): Video;

    setVideoSize(size: string, keepPixelAspectRatio: boolean, keepAspectRatio: boolean, paddingColor?: string): Video;

    setAudioCodec(codec: string): Video;

    setAudioFrequency(frequency: number): Video;
    setAudioChannels(channel: number): Video;

    setAudioBitrate(bitrate: number): Video;

    setAudioQuality(quality: number): Video;

    setWatermark(watermarkPath: string, settings: WatermarkSettings): Video;

    /**
     * After setting the desired parameters have to start the conversion process.
     * To do this you must call the function 'save'.
     */
    save(destinationFileName: string, callback: SaveCallback): void;
    save(destinationFileName: string): Promise<string>;

    fnExtractSoundToMP3(destinationFileName: string, callback: SaveCallback): void;

    fnExtractFrameToJPG(destinationFolder: string, settings: FrameToJPGSettings, callback: SaveCallback): void;

    fnAddWatermark(watermarkPath: string, newPilePath: string, settings: WatermarkSettings, callback: SaveCallback): void;

    metadata: StandardVideoMetadata & AVIMetadata & FLVMetadata;
}

interface Iffmpeg {
    new(filePath: string, cb?: (err: Error, video: Video) => void): Promise<Video>;
}

declare var ffmpeg: Iffmpeg;

export = ffmpeg;

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaGithub


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However, LoanFinder SA not only offers finding lenders on your behalf, but also offers legal advice on matters that are commonly faced by people. These include problems at the workplace, advice regarding dealing with landlords/tenants or any other legal assistance that may be required by the applicant.
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text:
Data recovery for Mac
Data recovery for Windows
Tech Related Articles
How to Protect Your Data During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Updated on May 4, 2020
Arthur Cole
Brett Johnson
Recover Deleted Files on Windows
Recover Deleted Files on Mac OS X
Hard Drive Recovery Tips
SD Card & Flash Drive Recovery Tips
All About Data Recovery
All about iOS
All about Android
Recovering File Types & Formats
Data Recovery in Your City
Mac OS X Tips & Troubleshooting
Windows Tips & Troubleshooting
Best Software & Services in 2021
Best Hardware in 2021
The Rising Incidence of Cyber Attacks
Protecting your Data Resources
Recovering from a Hacker Attack
The COVID-19 outbreak poses an unprecedented challenge to the world's collective healthcare systems. It appears that no corner of the globe will be spared from the coronavirus and its deadly effects on the population. The virus has forced nations throughout the world to institute stay-at-home orders and social distancing in desperate attempts to stem the spread of the disease. So far, the results have not been promising.
As if dealing with an out-of-control pandemic is not enough, computer systems around the world are experiencing an increase in cyber attacks. Malicious hackers have no regard for the people and organizations battling the virus and are taking advantage of the panic and confusion caused by the disease to launch waves of attacks on the frightened public. While black-hat hackers are not known for their high moral standards, using the pandemic to further their malicious aims demonstrates a new and disturbing low point.
In this article, we will look at some of the targeted attacks that have emerged in the hopes that you can use this information to strengthen your data protection policies to thwart cybercriminals. We will also talk about a software tool that can be used to recover from data loss if your system is struck by one of these malevolent attacks.
Threats to the healthcare sector as well as average citizens are on the rise in the wake of the global pandemic. Important health-related agencies like the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the World Health Organization (WHO) have been repeatedly targeted by hackers.
Fortunately, so far the attacks on these organizations have been unsuccessful. In other cases, a hacker attack has resulted in significant damage to the healthcare infrastructure. In Illinois, the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District's website was down for several days as they recovered from a ransomware attack.
According to researchers at SonicWall, new and pointedly destructive malware has recently been identified that employs a coronavirus-theme to trick users. It is designed to cause destruction rather than attempting to obtain financial gain from their victims. Two of the identified malware variants rewrote a computer's master boot record (MBR), essentially destroying the machine. Another variant posed as a coronavirus ransomware attack but in truth was designed to steal passwords before rewriting the MBR.
Security researchers have identified a 667% increase in the number of COVID-19 related spear-phishing attacks. Over 9,000 phishing initiatives were detected and have been steadily on the rise as the pandemic spreads. The goals of the attacks range from malware distribution to ransomware and credential theft. One particularly wicked blackmail attack threatens to infect an individual and their family with the coronavirus unless they pay a ransom.
Google says they saw 18 million daily malware and phishing emails related to the Coronavirus (COVID-19) in the past week.
These are just a few examples of the threats to computer systems and their data being perpetrated by criminals using the fear of COVID-19 to further their aims. Unfortunately, this adds more stress to that already being experienced by society. These cybercriminals are demonstrating that they are bottom-feeders with no semblance of a conscience. Computer users need to take every precaution possible to protect their data resources.
Several techniques should be used in combination to protect your computer systems from being impacted by the increase in COVID-19 inspired cyber attacks.
#1 Choose the Right Antivirus Protection
Virus-scanning software is an essential first wave of defense that should be installed on all computer systems. Choose a reputable solution and make sure you keep its databases updated to address newly discovered threats. Take reports generated from the anti-virus tool seriously and remove any suspicious software from your computer as soon as possible.
#2 Secure a Computer Network
Password protect networks and network components to minimize the chances of unauthorized access to your systems. Non-trivial passwords should be required for network access. The same can be said for routers and other devices used to provide the network infrastructure. Many devices are installed with default credentials which is like leaving the door wide open and inviting an attack. Change these immediately to raise your level of protection.
#3 Watch out for phishing emails
Think twice before clicking on links in emails and instant messages. After thinking twice, take a deep breath and think again. Scammers are using fear and misinformation in attempts to lure users to fall victim to phishing attacks. This is a terrible tactic that can only be defeated by individual vigilance. Clicking an infected link can result in delivering malware directly to your machine. In corporate settings, a single wrong click can inadvertently affect the entire enterprise.
#4 Backup your Data
Data backups are a valuable commodity that should be a regular part of your computer maintenance regimen. The importance of backups is often overlooked until disaster strikes and systems need to be rebuilt. Make sure that you have a viable backup strategy in place and keep the storage media in a safe place. When all else fails, they provide the raw material required to recover your important data.
If you are hit by a destructive computer virus or malware attack you may need to perform data recovery to save your important information. Disk Drill is a software solution that can be instrumental in getting your data back and offers additional protection capabilities to keep it safe in the first place. The software offers users a simple and effective way to recover from a variety of data loss scenarios including the damage caused by a cyber attack.
Systems that are infected with malware or a virus may be subjected to random data deletion, leaving users scrambling for a solution. Data recovery software can help Windows and Mac users scan their systems for deleted data and recover it safely. The tool recognizes over 400 filetypes and supports virtually any type of disk-based storage device. Its advanced scanning algorithms will examine the storage media on a sector-by-sector basis and reconstruct files that appeared to be lost forever.
Disk Drill's main functionality is in data recovery, but the application also offers data protection features that can be used to safeguard your valuable information. The tool lets you create a byte-level backup of your disks which can be used to recover your files when necessary. This type of backup includes deleted data which makes it possible to perform recovery on files that had been lost before the backup's creation.
As the world struggles with the COVID-19 pandemic, you can at least be assured that you have a reliable tool to help recover from malicious cyber attacks. Having a data recovery tool in your software toolbox means there is one less thing to worry about as you try to navigate this crisis. Be careful and stay safe!
Arthur Cole is a freelance content creator. He also has a more than 10-year experience in program development for macOS, Windows, iOS, Android. Arthur Cole is a writer with deep expertise in programming, who can easily...
This article has been approved by Brett Johnson, Data Recovery Engineer at ACE Data Recovery. Brett has a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Systems and Network, 12 years of experience.
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text:
Stewart Inn History
Georges W. Maher
The Stewart Inn was designed and built by George Maher, a contemporary of Frank Lloyd Wright's and one of the founders of the American arts & crafts movement. It was commissioned by Hiram and Irene Stewart and completed in 1906. The Inn was one of six homes Maher constructed in Wausau (along with two others that he is known to have renovated) and was Wausau's first property on the National Register of Historic Places.
George Maher frequently incorporated both geometric shapes and botanical elements into his designs. In this instance, the geometric shape was the tripartite (or segmental) arch and the botanical element was the tulip. He repeated these elements throughout the house to create what he referred to as the "motif rhythm theory," a cohesive architecture style that flows prominently throughout a building.
The Stewart Inn is regarded as one of the finest homes in Wausau and considered the most intact example of George Maher's architecture in the country. The chandeliers, the stained glass windows, the sconces, the fireplace mosaic, the woodwork and so much more are original and in near perfect condition. Even the second floor guest rooms remain largely true to Maher's original design.
The grand foyer is a warm and welcoming entrance to the Inn. It features two entrances, a front entrance and a side carriage entrance. Both entrance doors have original stained glass windows designed by Giannini and Hilgart who were master artisans from Chicago that did extensive work for George Maher and Frank Lloyd Wright. The doors and interior paneling are made of mahogany. The interior granite steps are from a local quarry.
One of the most subtle design elements of the foyer is the somewhat obscured doorway that leads guests to the downstairs powder room. At the time of construction when carriages were the primary mode of transportation, the access to a powder room allowed guests to freshen up and still make a grand entry into the house.
The living room, or what was then referred to as the drawing room, is a magnificent departure from Victorian architecture. It's an expansive room with lots of natural light, beautiful botanical chandeliers and sconces, a coifered ceiling, warm honey oak paneling and a mesmerizing mosaic fireplace. It achieves something which is seldom found in historical architecture, a balance between elegance and tranquility.
The living room is where we host our nightly wine reception. It is a space that is comfortable and accessible to our guests throughout their stay.
The dining room is where we serve breakfast each morning. It features numerous stunning details, highlighted by the incredible chandelier that hangs above the dining room table. The chandelier was a joint collaboration between Willy Lau, a noted Chicago manufacturer of lighting (an artisan also used by Frank Lloyd Wright), and Giannini and Hilgart who produced the glass. Another architectural detail which frequently attracts visitors' attention is the cantilevered buffet, or sideboard. Like so many other elements in the house, it utilizes the tripartite shape above the counter surface as well as within the design itself. Perhaps our favorite feature is the East wall which itself is a tripartite arch. Imagine the craftsmanship that went into shaping the wood for the panels, buffet and doors done all without modern tools.
The reception room, which today is called the media room, is the room where the Stewart's staff would have escorted guests to wait until they were greeted by the Stewart's. It has beautiful half windows that are eye-level with art glass and mahogany woodwork. At one time this room featured a large seven foot high tripartite mirror in the middle of the south wall. While the mirror still resides on premise, we find that our guests prefer a large screen television for watching Packer games than sitting in front of a beautiful, but old, silver mirror.
The reception room is frequently used now by our business guests as a place for offsite meetings. In addition to the television and DVD player, it has a port which can connect with a guest's laptop.
Mr. Stewart's office, presently referenced as the library, is perhaps one of the coziest spots in the inn. While it is relatively small room, it has a large masculine arts & crafts fireplace, stucco walls and warm quarter-sawn oak bookcases. The room also has original sconces and the original chandelier with cigar ventilator. One unique feature of the room is the secondary entrance from the outside. This allowed Mr. Stewart to host business clients without them having to come to the front door.
The Stairwell Landing
The stairwell landing is both a beautiful architectural feature and functional space. The raised structure gave occupants the opportunity to survey the main living areas from an elevated vantage point while simultaneously giving foil to the exterior ventilation system. The ventilation system helped equalize the internal and external air pressure, thereby alleviating drafts. The landing has a beautiful bench seat with tripartite windows above the seat.
The Second Floor Hallway
The 2nd floor hallway is one of the few areas within the home that has seen some modest changes. While the general floorplan remains intact, the hallway offers three less doorways than the original design. The missing doorways went to the sitting room, the linen closet and the main bath. The key architectural features that do remain are the original laundry shoot, the electrical box, the intercom phone and the paired stained glass windows that brings natural light from the back (or servants') stairwell to the hallway. The other historical detail of note is the French tapestry that was given by George Maher to the Stewart family that hangs above the stairwell on the north wall.
Experience Wausau's
Premiere Boutique Hotel
521 Grant St. Wausau, WI 54403
stay@stewartinn.com
© 2023 Stewart Inn. All Rights Reserved. Website design by Big Fat Designs LLC
Call Reserve


text:
#import "UICollectionView+BMABatchUpdates.h"
#import "BMACollectionUpdates.h"

@implementation UICollectionView (BMABatchUpdates)

- (void)bma_performBatchUpdates:(NSArray /*<BMACollectionUpdate *>*/ *)updates
       applyChangesToModelBlock:(void (^)(void))applyChangesToModelBlock
                reloadCellBlock:(void (^)(UICollectionViewCell *cell, NSIndexPath *indexPath))reloadCellBlock
                completionBlock:(void (^)(BOOL finished))completionBlock {
    if (!updates) {
        applyChangesToModelBlock();
        [self reloadData];
        if (completionBlock) {
            completionBlock(YES);
        }
    } else {
        [self performBatchUpdates:^{
            applyChangesToModelBlock();
            for (BMACollectionUpdate *update in updates) {
                if ([update isItemUpdate]) {
                    BMACollectionItemUpdate *itemUpdate = (BMACollectionItemUpdate *)update;
                    switch (update.type) {
                        case BMACollectionUpdateTypeReload: {
                            if (reloadCellBlock) {
                                UICollectionViewCell *cell = [self cellForItemAtIndexPath:itemUpdate.indexPath1];
                                if (cell) {
                                    reloadCellBlock(cell, itemUpdate.indexPath1);
                                }
                            }

                            break;
                        }
                        case BMACollectionUpdateTypeDelete:
                            [self deleteItemsAtIndexPaths:@[ itemUpdate.indexPath1 ]];
                            break;
                        case BMACollectionUpdateTypeInsert:
                            [self insertItemsAtIndexPaths:@[ itemUpdate.indexPath2 ]];
                            break;
                        case BMACollectionUpdateTypeMove:
                            [self moveItemAtIndexPath:itemUpdate.indexPath1 toIndexPath:itemUpdate.indexPath2];
                            break;
                        default:
                            break;
                    }
                } else if ([update isSectionUpdate]) {
                    BMACollectionSectionUpdate *sectionUpdate = (BMACollectionSectionUpdate *)update;
                    switch (update.type) {
                        case BMACollectionUpdateTypeReload:
                            [self reloadSections:[NSIndexSet indexSetWithIndex:sectionUpdate.section1]];
                            break;
                        case BMACollectionUpdateTypeDelete:
                            [self deleteSections:[NSIndexSet indexSetWithIndex:sectionUpdate.section1]];
                            break;
                        case BMACollectionUpdateTypeInsert:
                            [self insertSections:[NSIndexSet indexSetWithIndex:sectionUpdate.section2]];
                            break;
                        case BMACollectionUpdateTypeMove:
                            [self moveSection:sectionUpdate.section1 toSection:sectionUpdate.section2];
                            break;
                        default:
                            break;
                    }
                }
            }
        } completion:completionBlock];
    }
}

@end


Forums > Abandonia.com > Troubleshooting > Loom Problem.
View Full Version : Loom Problem.
Isn't that the quote of someone who posted this several days ago already?
If someone had a clue, you bet his problem would be solved by now.
Insert a floppy disk into drive A. Press any key to continue.
I just downloaded it and I made it work flawlessly with VDMSound, tough I could hear no sound at all. Speed seemed to be good, had no problem whatsoever starting the program.
Where would be the "insert disk" problem then? Could only happen if he tryies to install the game, which is not required.
Would really like to know why there is a reference to "Cascade Abandonware" in the readme.txt tough. Seems like a dead ABW site.
Edit: I just viewed both install batch files, and they do nothing more than copy everything from folder X to folder Y. Probably mean that they originally copied the content of both disks to destination directory and nothing else. You are not going to get sound that way, if that was the point.
I just tried loom in dosbox 0.63 and it worked fine.
I noticed though that there is a loom.exe.pif present as well.
You might want to remove it.


text:
ITS International Home
Intetra signals a new era
Intetra is using Intertraffic as the launch platform for its new adaptive traffic signal controller.
Tufan Yilmaz
The company says that the new controller has the ability to operate as part of a cooperative intelligent transportation system (C-ITS) that can also communicate with vehicles and other infrastructure devices.
The new-generation intersection control unit has been designed to be user-friendly for the technicians who will install and maintain it, said R&D manager Tufan Yilmaz, with features such as ease of cabling and commissioning. Programming is also facilitated with what the company describes as an easy and tactile programming interface.
Among the unit's features are the ability for it to be programmable for up to 32 groups that can be divided to small intersections, allowing a single device to control multiple intersections.
Different types of management methods are available, depending on the infrastructure available locally. Semi-actuated and fully actuated modes can be used with loop sensors, while the fully adaptive mode can be used with the help of camera-based artificial intelligence software.
Besides central control of the units, local programming and management of the device is also available via a 10-inch display or with an operator laptop connected through ethernet. The intersection control unit's features include the ability to prioritise emergency and public transport vehicles, with the help of V21 connection and event detection solutions.
Besides its connectivity solutions the device is C-ITS ready and can transmit current light situations to onboard vehicle units through the roadside unit. To keep pace with developments in traffic lights, the control unit can work with 42V traffic lights as well as the regular 220V units.
Event detection capabilities include detection of pedestrian age and dangerous situations, as well as accident and weather detection.
Stand 01.304
Intetra
Intertraffic 2022 News
DKT beats the blues
Carrida has the edge in ALPR
TDS: Device certification is vital
Lanternn is beacon of light for Valerann
Ouster is where the magic happens
Big data, small package
All Digital Issuesarrow_forward


SAN DIEGO, CA: In this rapid-paced business environment, enterprises are looking for solutions that not only accelerate their growth but also provide utmost visibility in the process. To address this issue Crea8tive Technology and Design, announced their going live with Epicor ERP and their Cre8tive PSA Industry Solution within their own organization.
Apart from streamlining the business operations into a single platform, Epicor ERP with its new enhancements allows the company to automate most of their processes and pave a strong foundation for their growth in future.Cre8tive's successful endeavour has given them an opportunity to leverage their Cre8tive PSA Industry Solution for Epicor ERP. This software is orchestrated for US-based, project-driven professional companies like business consultants, IT services; other Architectural and Engineering firms as well. It works in combination with clients' existing Epicor ERP systems making it way more convenient to manage clients' entire lifecycle. Some other features include managing timecards and billing, relationships and resources; and accounting and analytics.
Data integrity is enhanced and features faster reporting because much of the manual and duplicate data is eliminated with the new Epicor ERP solution. All the relevant information Cre8tive requires to monitor a project is made available through a Dashboard.
"Customer satisfaction is very important to our business, and Epicor ERP has allowed us to better manage and support our internal processes, to better provide for our customers," declared Aaron Continelli, President and Founder of Cre8tive Technology and Design.


Family-based treatment (FBT) has now been used for over a decade in treatment of anorexia nervosa (Lock & LeGrange 2005). Methods studied and used for FBT originally did not involve registered dietitian nutritionists (RDNs) or any nutrition counselor at all. Yet standards of care for disordered eating (DE) treatment have involved nutrition counseling with an RDN for ages (JAND 2011). The research supporting the role of the RDN in disordered eating treatment should fit with the research supporting FBT since both are true. How can we as RDNs be involved with FBT? How can we provide family-based nutrition counseling in other ways? Is family-based nutrition counseling beneficial for all types of DE? This webinar will discuss family-based nutrition counseling and how dietitians can counsel families to aid in treatment of children and adolescents with DE. Ways to provide the support and direction needed for families will be discussed, and case study examples will be examined.
Define different types of family-based counseling for disordered eating (DE).
Understand how to provide family-based nutrition counseling.
Decide when family-based nutrition counseling is appropriate for DE treatment.
Herrin, Marcia. Nutrition Counseling in the Treatment of Eating Disorders. 2003. Taylor & Fancis Group, LLC. New York, NY.
Herrin, Marcia, and Matsumoto, Nancy. The Parent's Guide to Eating Disorders, 2nd Ed. 2007. Gürze Books. Carlsbad, CA.
Le Grange D, Lock J, Loeb K, & Nicholls D. Academy for Eating Disorders Position Paper: The Role of the Family in Eating Disorders. Int J Eat Disord. 2010; 43(1):1-5.
Lock J, & Le Grange D. Help Your Teenager Beat an Eating Disorder. 2005. New York, NY: Guilford Press.
Position of the American Dietetic Association: Nutrition Intervention in the Treatment of Eating Disorders. JAND 2011; 111(8):1236-1241.
Practice Paper of the American Dietetic Association: Nutrition Intervention in the Treatment of Eating Disorders. JAND 2011; 111(8):1261-1273.


text:
Q: Azure Data Factory merge 2 csv files with different schema I am trying to merge the 2 csv files(in Azure data factory) which has different schema. Below is the scenario
CSV 1: 15 columns -> say 5 dimensions and 10 metrices(x1, x2,...x10)
CSV 2: 15 columns -> 5 dimensions(same as above) and 10 metrices(different from above, y1, y2...y10)
So my schema is different. Now I have to merge both CSV files so that only 5 dimensions comes with all 20 metrices.
I tried with Data Transformation using Select operation. That is giving me 2 rows in the merged file. One row with first 5 dimensions and 10 metrices and second row with next 5 dimensions and 10 metrices, which is incorrect as I am looking only for one row with 5 dimensions and all 20 metrics(x1,x2...x10, y1,y2...y10)
Any help is much appreciated on this issue

A: Thank you @sac for the update and thank you @Joel Cochran, for the suggestion. Posting it as an answer to help other community members.

*

*Use Join transformation and Join type as Inner join. Use Key columns or common columns (dimension columns) from 2 Input files as your Join condition. This will output all columns from file1 and file2.

*Use Select transformation to get the required select list from the join output.
Refer below process for implementation:
(i) Join 2 source files, with inner join and key columns in the join condition.

(ii)    Output of Join transformation will list all the columns from source1 and all columns from source2 (includes duplicate key columns from both source files).

(iii)   Use select transformation and remove duplicate (or not required in select list) columns from the Join output.

(iv)    Output of Select transformation.


If a person dies without a Will the beneficiaries can not dispute the court's distribution of that person's estate under the intestacy laws. Even if that person expressed different wishes verbally during their lifetime the statutes control the distribution. With a valid Will, a person can legally determine how their property will be distributed... and to whom. Most intestacy statutes distribute a deceased person's assets between a surviving spouse and their children or to only the children if there is not a spouse. If there are no surviving children the assets then are generally distributed to extended family members.
In Louisiana, the laws regarding the valid execution and witnessing of a Will are set forth in the Louisiana Civil Code, Articles 1577 through 1582.1.
In Louisiana there is not a required statutory age or mental capacity to execute a Will.
Currently Louisiana does not provide for a self-proving Will.


text:
Q: Jekyll: div class not in CSS I am currently building a blog using the Jekyll static site generator and Github Pages. I would like to eventually work directly on the CSS and HTML and get rid of Jekyll altogether.
In one of the div elements in my site I see that the class language-plaintext is assigned. However this class does not occur in the CSS. Where does this class come from ?

A: The language-plaintext class is applied to Markdown code blocks [1] by Jekyll build process.  An example of Markdown code block
```
Hello World!
```

Jekyll provides a pluggable system [2] for giving code blocks CSS styling based on the code block language (e.g JavaScript, Python).  I believe this code highlighting feature is what uses the language-plaintext class.
Here is an example with javascript code block
```javascript
hello world
```

generates

hello world

Note the class="language-javascript
[1] https://www.markdownguide.org/extended-syntax/#fenced-code-blocks
[2] https://jekyllrb.com/docs/configuration/markdown/


text:
Nearly six years ago, National Comfort Institute (NCI) profiled this Craig, CO-based HVAC company in its member newsletter. In that profile, author Steve Vannoy wrote, "Blend one-part staunch commitment to outstanding customer service, one part enthusiasm for giving back to the community, and one part dedication to creating a quality workplace and you should have a winning formula for business success."
The company, which was started in 1988 by Dave DeRose, has consistently applied this formula.
At the time of that original article, Masterworks had 12 full-time employees, and was a successful player in the area's service and installation arena. Vannoy wrote, "This success is due, in no small part, to the company philosophy of measuring success not in the amount of jobs completed, but by completing each job with efficiency, quality, and care for the customer."
Fast forward to 2019. Masterworks now employs 27 co-workers, Dave DeRose successfully sold the company to one of his top lieutenants, and the company is solidly focused on the Performance-Based Contracting™ method of doing business.
Victor and Amy Updike bought Masterworks in 2015.
That lieutenant is Victor Updike. Victor, who joined Masterworks in 2008, began his career as a refrigeration service technician. "My main thing was being a Freon guy," he explains.
During those early days, he was involved in a serious four-wheeler accident that nearly severed his foot. The hospital was able to re-attach it, but he was laid up for six months or more. Because he couldn't be out in the field until fully recuperated, Updike decided to focus on training, especially NCI training, Summit, and a few other things. That is where he got hooked on the idea of HVAC system performance. Masterworks became a member of NCI in 2009.
His wife Amy, who already had a career of her own in the medical industry, decided to join Masterworks, first as a dispatcher, then as office manager and more. She learned as many aspects of managing the company as she could and became indispensable to DeRose.
The fact is, both Updikes were indispensable members of DeRose's team. So, when he decided it was time to push the button on retirement, David approach Vic and Amy and asked them if they wanted to buy the company.
According to Vic, their answer was an unequivocal YES!!! The sale was finalized in 2015 and for the past three years, with the husband and wife team at the helm, Masterworks has enjoyed solid growth and is more focused on High-Performance contracting than ever before.
"David DeRose built an amazing business," Vic Updike says. "He created a solid customer base and the premise that he operated on was so valid to me that I could see where we could take that and grow it."
He says the only change he wanted to make was to make the company the ONLY HVAC and plumbing firm customers would ever need.
"If we ever failed in our mission, then they could and should replace us. We use that idea to help keep our egos in check and make sure we never miss the components of quality we have always delivered in the past."
Click below for next page
PreviousThe ABCs of High-Performance Contracting: Part 8
NextMarch 2019 Today's Word
In his role with NCI, Mike oversees the team handling Marketing, Communications, Websites, Electronic Media, and Publications efforts. He is also focused on growing ContractorsIMAGE™, NCI's member marketing services arm.
Performance is the Future of the HVAC Industry
Spotlight: Turning the Company Around with Performance-Based Contracting
HVAC Contractor Spotlight: Energy Savers, Columbus, GA – Beating the Odds with performance
NCI September Vendor Spotlight: Commercials on Hold


Each year The Architectural League in its Current Work program presents the work of significant international figures who powerfully influence contemporary architectural practice and shape the future of the built environment. Willem Jan Neutelings will present his work in a public lecture to be followed by a conversation with moderator Lyn Rice.
Recent projects include the Museum aan de Stroom in Antwerp; the Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision in Hilversum; the Shipping and Transport College in Rotterdam; the Walterbos Complex in Apeldoorn; and the recently opened Culturehouse Rozet in Arnhem, Netherlands. Current work includes a new building for music, dance, and events in The Hague; a renovation and expansion of the Cincinnati Art Museum; and the newly commissioned Naturalis Biodiversity Center in Leiden.
Many of the firm's projects have been commissioned through international competitions. The firm's work has received many accolades, notably for the Museum aan de Stroom and the Netherlands Institute for Sound and Vision. The office received the BNA-Kubus/Biennial Prize for entire oeuvre from the Dutch Architects Union in 2010.
Moderator: Lyn Rice is a principal of Rice+Lipka Architects and is a member of the League's Board of Directors.
FREE TO CURRENT COOPER UNION STUDENTS/FACULTY/STAFF AND ARCHITECTURAL LEAGUE MEMBERS.
For additional ticketing info please click here.


Using this incredible natural handmade cloth leefah for your daily bath brush, message. Can create a rich lather, less soap and It can provide a powerful, therapeutic treatment that stimulates collagen. It will remove blackheads, acne, and pimples, as well as wiping away wrinkles, fine lines, and age spots. It will renew the youthful glow on your skin.


text:
Americano vs Drip Coffee: What's the Difference?
Americano and drip are brewed in two completely different ways. In this article, I take a close look at the key traits that separate these two popular versions of black coffee.
On the surface, they look pretty similar. Both are long and black, and both are just plain coffee.
However, drip coffee and americanos are two entirely different beasts – each with their pros and cons.
Some may prefer one over the other. If you're not quite sure what the difference is then read on.
What is an Americano?
Unless you're from the planet Mars, you already know how drip coffee is made. So let me start by talking about an Americano.
The Americano is essentially an espresso shot diluted with water. The drink can be prepared in two different ways that will alter the look of the drink:
Hot water first, then espresso on top. This brewing method will keep the crema intact on top of the beverage
Espresso first, then diluting with hot water after. This will create a cup of coffee that looks exactly like a regular cup of black coffee.
How much water is used in americano? The exact amount can vary depending on the location and the skills of the barista, but the general way is to pull a double shot and then fill whatever cup is used with water directly from the espresso machine's steam wand.
Americano vs. Drip Coffee: Taste
On the surface, these two kinds of coffee look somewhat similar. So what about the taste?
An Americano, being a diluted espresso, will have a lot of the characteristics of the espresso, just in a thinned down version.
In particular, this means that it's often brewed with a somewhat dark roast. At the level of concentration that the Americano is typically served at, this will manifest itself as a slightly 'roasty' or burnt flavor depending on the quality of the beans.
Being brewed with a metal filter, more oils will also end up in the coffee.
Contrast this with the typical drip coffee that is brewed with a paper filter. This brew method gives a smoother more light-bodied cup of coffee. The character of the cup can be further enhanced with the choice of beans; often drip coffee blends, or single origin beans will be of a light or medium roast.
The result is that drip coffee is often more acidic and nuanced in its taste, while the Americano will be perceived as stronger and bolder.
Caffeine in Americano coffee
So maybe you don't care about the flavor and want a caffeine kick in the morning? Well, both drip coffee and americanos have around the same level of caffeine.
According to USDA a regular cup of morning Joe has 92 mg of caffeine, while a double shot of espresso has around 120 mg. However, of course, these exact ratios will vary a lot depending on cup size and the precise ratio of ground coffee to water.
Of course, you should also factor in how diluted the Americano is.
If the only thing, you're after is a stimulant to wake you up, then you might as well drink espressos.
Why is it called americano?
Caffè Americano means 'American coffee' in Italian. Legend has it that the drink was invented during World War II when US soldiers came to Italy and wanted a coffee similar to the one they were served back home.
According to Wikipedia, this claim has never been confirmed. The Americano was already mentioned in a 1928 novel taking place in Italy by Somerset Maugham. It's not clear, however, if this refers to coffee or an alcoholic concoction though.
The latter could be the case since there is a pretty famous cocktail called americano that consists of Campari and Vermouth with a dash of soda.
No matter, how the name came to be, it's by far the most popular way to describe an espresso diluted with hot water in most countries in the world today. In Australia, the same coffee beverage is called a 'long black,' but otherwise, Americano is almost universally understood.
Top Featured Image: Dennis Tang | Source
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I have been crazy about caffeine for almost as long as I can remember. Today, I'm a licensed Q Arabica Grader and full time coffee writer.
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